Pregnancy is principally a phenomenon of maternal adaptation to the increasing demands of the growing fetus1. Pregnancy causes many visible and invisible changes in human body and it represents one of the best example of selective adaptation in terms of respiratory physiology.
To evaluate the changes in dynamic pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in IInd & IIIrd trimesters of pregnancy and compare the results between normal pregnant women (case group) & normal non pregnant women of IInd & IIIrd trimesters (control group).
50 Subjects were divided into two groups, non pregnant women (n = 20, mean age = 26.5 ± 2.69) and normal pregnant women's of II & III trimesters (n = 30, mean age = 24.84 ± 3.00). PFTs were done by medspiror.
Significant decrease in all the parameters of PFTs like Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), Maximum Ventilation Volume (MVV), were seen in II & III trimester of normal pregnant women as compared to normal non pregnant women.
Our data suggests that there is alteration in PFTs in pregnant women. Continuous Monitoring of PFTs may prove to be of great value in maternal healthcare as cases of restriction and obstruction in lungs during pregnancy can be identified early and its deterioration can be prevented by proper management.
PFTs, Pregnancy
